There will be an inspection at 8am to determine whether Thursday's meeting at Punchestown can go ahead.

Punchestown's Racing Manager Richie Galway said, "All the jockeys have said that while it does not look that pretty, they are happy to continue as long as the ground doesn't deteriorate. All the feedback from them has been positive.

"There is a chance we may run a hurdles and bumper card again tomorrow. We've had 35mm of rain since 10am today.

"The forecast is for it to remain unsettled overnight and to improve after lunchtime. We will try and make a decision one way or the other at 8am."

Meanwhile, today's attendance and betting were always going to be hit by the heavy rain and the cancelling of two races including the featured "Gold Cup".

However the inclement weather plus the loss of the two chases really hit the betting figures hard, with the Tote aggregate down 60% at €418,974.

The bookmakers turnover was down even more at 73%, with just €479,516 bet in the ring compared with nearly €1.8 million 12 months ago.

A total of 55 bookmakers were in attendance compared with 77 on the corresponding day last year. Some bookies actually turned up at the track before deciding not to lay the odds.